Bonner named director of Renewable Ocean Energy Program
George Bonner will assume his role as director of the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program on Aug. 1. (Photos courtesy of Coastal Studies Institute)
East Carolina University’s Integrated Coastal Programs and the Coastal Studies Institute have announced that George Bonner has been named director of the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP).
The NCROEP is a research partnership that integrates coastal, electrical, civil and mechanical engineering with the natural and social sciences to research and develop technologies to harness ocean hydropower as a source of renewable energy for the state of North Carolina.
Supported by North Carolina legislature since its inception in 2010, the NCROEP is led by the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) and the colleges of engineering at N.C. State University, N.C. A&T, UNC Charlotte and East Carolina University. The program includes a range of scientists, students, and industry professionals whose work focuses on various aspects of marine hydrokinetic power generation, thus building the foundation required to use ocean currents and waves as a renewable energy resource in the future.
Bonner, a Roanoke Island native with three decades of engineering and management experience in the U.S. Coast Guard, will assume leadership of the NCROEP effective Aug. 1. The position is filled in partnership with the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at NCSU and is located on ECU’s Outer Banks Campus in Wanchese.
Bonner’s military experience has resulted in strong relationships and collaboration with public and private stakeholders, universities and government entities.
“Throughout my 30-year Coast Guard career, I have strived to support our motto of Semper Paratus. I am thrilled to return home to Roanoke Island and for the opportunity to work with the N.C. State, ECU, and the Coastal Studies Institute team in the emerging renewable ocean energy sector to help our state and nation remain ‘Always Ready,’” Bonner said.
CSI researchers deploy sensors along the continental shelf to better understand the Gulf Stream as a potential source for renewable energy.
As director, Bonner will be responsible for integrated research, education, training and outreach efforts in the area of ocean renewable energy, working in conjunction with the CSI executive director and NCROEP Technical Advisory Board to revisit and implement the programs strategic plan and vision.
“With the rapidly expanding application of renewable ocean solutions to meet energy demands across the world, I’m excited about this role in advancing industry-leading research across the UNC System and promoting sustainable solutions to best serve our economy, national security and environment,” Bonner said.
Bonner succeeds Dr. Billy Edge, CSI faculty member and professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at NCSU. Since Edge’s retirement in 2015, interim leadership has been provided by NCSU’s Mo Gabr, assisted by CSI’s Lindsay Dubbs and Mike Muglia.
“We are excited to have Mr. Bonner lead the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program as we enter this next stage of growth in our research on renewable ocean energy for the state of North Carolina,” said Dr. Reide Corbett, executive director of the CSI and dean of ECU Integrated Coastal Programs. “Bonner’s proven leadership and experience working across many coastal systems will be a valuable asset to the program, N.C. State, ECU and CSI.”
The North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program works with private industry to test ocean energy devices. In this photo, a wave energy converter is being deployed in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck.
-Contact: John McCord, 252-475-5450